As part of the deal restructuring Harrisburg's crushing debts, the rate for downtown street parking was doubled, the hours extended to 7 pm and Saturdays, and fines boosted to $30. Individual meters are still being removed, in favor of a modern, electronic one-per-block kiosk, causing confusion (and often, expensive tickets) for first time users, especially out-of-town visitors. Rates for garage parking were raised, too. Many downtown businesses have seen their traffic drop significantly.

The new parking contractor, SP+ (Standard Parking), has little room to make big changes. In raising the money to restructure the city's debts, the new parking terms were locked into financing contracts that would be difficult to break or modify.

Nonetheless, Mayor Papenfuse and others have suggested that SP+ could do more to make the new parking system work better, such as posting more signs and helping businesses that want to offer validated parking.

What's your opinion of Harrisburg's new parking arrangements? Vote in the poll below (you can pick more than one answer) and add any thoughts in the comments.